Satya Nadella, new Microsoft CEO, attributes his leadership skills to playing cricket

New Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has attributed his leadership skills to playing cricket. The Indian-born Nadella was on February 4, appointed as the new head of the 78 billion $ Microsoft replacing Steve Ballmer. Nadella is the third CEO of the 38-year-old firm and the first Indian to head it.

“I think playing cricket taught me more about working in teams and leadership that has stayed with me throughout my career,” Nadella was quoted as saying by The Economic Times. Nadella loves cricket, and poetry. He enjoys Test cricket: ”I love it. There’s so many subplots in it, it’s like reading a Russian novel, [sic]” he said.

Nadella was praised for his leadership qualities and ability to be inclusive even by Microsoft founder Bill Gates. ”During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth,” said Gates.

First Published on February 5, 2014, 12:01 pmLast updated on February 5, 2014, 12:59 pm